Cutover Lead

Job Summary:

We are seeking a high-caliber MES Cutover Lead to oversee the end-to-end cutover process for complex Manufacturing Execution System (MES) implementations. This role is critical in bridging the gap between manufacturing, IT, operations, and project teams. You will be responsible for ensuring that the transition from legacy systems or manual processes to the new MES environment is seamless, minimizing downtime and protecting operational integrity.

Key Responsibilities

• Cutover Strategy & Planning: Develop a comprehensive cutover plan detailing specific tasks, critical dependencies, timelines, and resource allocations tailored to MES-specific requirements.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Lead planning workshops to define validation steps and responsibilities; coordinate technical, functional, infrastructure, and business workstreams.
• Execution Oversight: Manage system freeze periods, technical deployments (transports/configurations), data migration activities, and business validation during the go-live window.
• Risk & Contingency Management: Proactively identify and mitigate cutover risks; develop robust rollback and recovery plans to protect manufacturing continuity.
• Testing & Dry Runs: Conduct and manage cutover "dress rehearsals" and validation activities to ensure all system components and integrations perform under production-like conditions.
• Communications & Hypercare: Serve as the central communication hub for stakeholders during execution; manage the transition from the go-live event into the Hypercare (post-go-live support) phase.
• Governance & Compliance: Ensure all activities adhere to MES best practices, internal company policies, and project governance standards.
• Continuous Improvement: Document "lessons learned" and post-mortem insights to refine future implementation playbooks.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Professional Experience: 3-8+ years of experience in MES or ERP project management, with a specific, proven track record of leading high-stakes cutover events.
• Domain Expertise: Deep understanding of MES modules, system landscapes, integration points, and complex data migration processes.
• Project Management Mastery: Exceptional ability to organize and lead multi-faceted teams under the high-pressure environment of a go-live window.
• Tool Proficiency: Familiarity with MES/ERP platforms (e.g., SAP S/4HANA, Siemens MES) and management tools such as Microsoft Project, Jira, ServiceNow, or SAP Solution Manager.
• Soft Skills: Strong stakeholder management capabilities and the ability to drive consensus among diverse business and technical groups.

Primary Deliverables:

• Detailed Cutover Task List (Runbook) and Timeline.
• Risk Register and Contingency/Rollback Plans.
• Communication Plan for Go-Live and Hypercare.
• Validation records and sign-off artifacts.
• Post-Cutover "Lessons Learned" Report.